Thousands of anti-government protesters are on the streets in Bahrain, where some have cheered the government's release of more than 300 prisoners.

Some demonstrators joined those who have camped out for several days in Manama's Pearl Square, the symbolic center of opposition protests.

Meanwhile, Bahraini authorities have released 308 prisoners, including 25 Shi'ite activists who had been on trial since October accused of plotting against the Gulf state's minority Sunni rulers. King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa had pardoned the prisoners on Tuesday, in a gesture toward opposition activists.

Bahrain protest video footage:

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